Tour Report

So today's stage made the front page of the New York Times.  I felt compelled to chime in:

Display Name: Mrs. Chips

Location:   Philadelphia, PA

Comment

The racing this year has been exciting and replete with courage, especially from the likes of Johnny Hoogerland, Vino (before his femur-crushing crash), Phillipe Gilbert, Jens Voigt and the Norwegian army of two, Hushovd and Boassan Hagen. I burst into tears this morning when TV retained yellow by 15 seconds on top of the Galibier, showing the grit and grace of a true champion.

Racing aside, my favorite part of the Tour are the fans. People from all over the planet lining the French roads and cols to cheer like maniacs for riders from their favorite teams or native lands. To paraphrase commentator Bob Roll,it would be easy to rob a Norwegian bank because the entire country is in France watching Thor and Edvard win stages.

The haters will always be there, and I understand their disgust with the doping and other shenanigans that have plagued the Tour. I choose to look the other way, and hope that integrity will ultimately overcome the ignominy. To me (I feel it imperative to note that I speak only for myself), the Armstrong victory over cancer and how it gives hope to the hopeless is a narrative far more compelling (and ultimately useful) than the Armstrong is a doper narrative.
Vive le Tour! And thank you France, as well as all the athletes, teams, coaches, soigneurs, bike companies, and fans across the world who make July my favorite month.